Don’s Top 10 From January 10, 1990

"We Didn't Start The Fire" by Billy Joel

(#6 last week) So much more time has passed since this was a hit you could fill a whole song with a part 2! Billy is pretty embarrased by this one, though, so don't hold your breath for a sequel.

9

"Escapade" by Janet Jackson

(#22 last week) The third of the historic seven top 5 singles from the "Rhythm Nation 1814" album, this was probably the "poppiest" of them. Writers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis felt that the title word was uncommon enough to make it interesting. Janet originally was going to record a remake of the Martha & The Vandellas hit "Nowhere To Run", but was persuaded by Jam & Lewis this was close enough to that oldies to make it redundant.

8

"Janie's Got A Gun"" by Aerosmith

(#11 last week) The second single from "Pump", it was originally titled "Danny's Got a Gun" after a close friend of Steven Tyler, but was later changed. The song's somewhat upbeat, lighthearted tone is heavily contrary to the dark content of the lyrics, which are about a girl named Janie who takes revenge on her father after being sexually abused by him.

7

"With Every Beat Of My Heart" by Taylor Dayne

(#5 last week) There really isn't much to tell you about Taylor Dayne, other than she made a series of catchy tunes for a few years. Like this one!

6

"Downtown Train" by Rod Stewart

(#8 last week) While critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Tom Waits has never sung on a hit of his own, He's the writer of "Jersey Girl" and this dirge. There was almost a cover battle with Bob Seger & Rod Stewart, but Seger decided at the last minute to not release his version (he finally did in 2011).

5

"Don't Know Much" by Linda Ronstadt featuring Aaron Neville

(#10 last week) This turned out to be the last top 10 hit of Ronstadt's career, 22 years after "Different Drum". It was written by the legendary team of Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil (& Tom Snow) and won Ronstadt & Neville a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal by a Duo Or Group. The combination of touching lyrics and incredible vocals make this a classic, in my opinion.

4

"Rhythm Nation" by Janet Jackson

(#3 last week) Janet's so hot she has two hits in this week's top 10. This was the second single from "Rhythm Nation 1814". The video received numerous accolades.

3

"I Remember You" by Skid Row

(#4 last week) The slow dance prom song for the class of '90. Lead singer Sebastian Bach said,"'I Remember You' was the #1 prom song in the United States of America in the year 1990....You talk about making memories! Literally the whole country of America did their prom dance to 'I Remember You' one year, and that's a real heavy memory to beat."

2

"Another Day In Paradise" by Phil Collins

(#2 last week) The Grammy-winning Record Of The Year, this was a plea from Collins not to ignore the homeless..David Crosby does backup vocals.

1

"Pump Up The Jam" by Technotronic featuring Felly

(#1 last week; 4th week at #1) While Phil Collins held down the #1 spot nationally, this propulsive dance hit was #1 locally at the end of the 80s & beginning of the 90s. It was the first "house music" hit to reach the top.